SARS investigations head quits after embarrassing sting

South African Revenue Service investigations head Johann van Loggerenberg has resigned.

Van Loggerenberg is at the centre of the tumult that hit the agency in recent months after reports of his affair with a lawyer for the tobacco industry‚ Belinda Walters‚ who claimed he revealed sensitive taxpayer information to her.

He was suspended last year pending the outcome of an internal investigation initiated by then acting commissioner Ivan Pillay. Pillay‚ now deputy commissioner‚ has also been suspended‚ with commissioner Tom Moyane citing the findings of the internal investigation as the basis for the action.

SARS human resources executive Luther Lebelo yesterday confirmed that Van Loggerenberg had resigned with immediate effect after 16 years in the agency’s employ.

Van Loggerenberg said his resignation was by mutual agreement between him and SARS and was in good faith.

“I acknowledge that I erred in personal judgment concerning a matter in my private life and that this led to unforeseen consequences that were outside of my control,” he said.

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